Automatic vending machine



June s, 1943,

6 Sheets-Sheet 3 f 22/ L r NH 2/7 2 6 13: 1 225; Z216 2/7 h E I 205) 200- I 204 H 202 J i i 205 Ed e/ZZZ)? [Var/2.5 J/Vdg'gzzla June 8, 1943. M. J. MARGUL1$ v AUTOMATIC VENDING MACHINE 6 Sheets- Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 23, 1937 yaks Arv'v I diz'piizyj Patented June 8, 1943 AUTOMATIC VENDING MACHINE Morris J. Margulis, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to Rock-Ola Manufacturing Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application October 2 1937; serial 170521 cji ns. c'lczu ls) This invention relates to an automatic vendin; machine and has particular reference to anautomatic machine for vending visible information in. the form, for example, of written compositions or articles, and audible information.

relating tothe visible information. It is an object of theinventionto provide a mechanism which will automatically vend any selected one of a plurality of articles and audible information relating to orcharacterizing the particular selected article.

It is another object of the. invention to proble and audible information on, for example, horoscopy. 7 I A further object of the invention is to prodicate a sign of the zodiac. for example, the Sign for the period during which the operator was born, and operates. the coin controlled starting mechanism. One of a series of twelve phono- I graphic records bearing a recorded speech or lecture related in subject matter to the selected zodiacal period with, if desired, appropriate musical interludes, is then reproduced or played and vide a mechanism which will vend related visi-- vide apparatus which will vend visible and audible information relating to the horoscopal significance of any selected one of the signs ofthe' zodiac.

Another object of the invention is the provision of apparatus which maybe set to indicate any one of the zodiacal signs and which will thereafter select and reproduce a predetermined one of a plurality of phonographic recordings relating to that zodiacal sign and will select from a plurality of written compositions andwill deliver to the operator the composition relating in subject matter to that zodiacal sign.

It is a further object of the invention to provide mechanism which will deliver any one of a plurality of articles and will play any one of a plurality of phonographic records, and which contains selective mechanism adapted so to control those operations that after any selected article a particular record associated therewith will be played.

Another object of the invention is to provide auxiliary phonograph means operative intermittently and only while the vending apparatus is not operating, the auxiliary phonograph means being adapted to play a record advertising the operation of the machine.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, disc oses a preferred embodiment thereof.

The particular embodiment of the invention disclosed is a machine for the automatic and select ve vending cf booklets or pamphlets and phohorosccpal sign fi ance as astrologically determined of one of the twelve signs of the zodiac. An operator sets the selective mechanism to in- .r graphic reproductions. each describing the associated elements;

one of a pluralityof'booklets. pamphlets or other written compositions, relating in subject matter to the horoscopal significance of the selected zodiacal period is delivered to the operator. At intervals during any period at which the machine is not beingsoperated as just described, auxiliary phonographic means reproduces or plays an advertising talk to induce patronage and, if

desired, music to attract attention to the machine. i It will be understood that the mechanism for selecting and playing any one of a plurality of phonographlc records is not per se my invention. Many such phonographic mechanisms are known in the art and may be employed in the present invention. The one shown is intended to be illustrative only and is more fully described in United States Letters Patent No. 2,002,236, of Russell I. Wilcox, dated May 21, 1935. For convenience, the part and elements of the phonographic mechanism referred to in the following description and shown in the accompanying drawings have been given the reference characters corresponding to those employed in the mentioned Wilcox patent.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a vending machine embodying the features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken behind the front panel showing the arrangement of various elements of the vending machine with most of the operating mechanism omitted;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevational View showing .the operating mechanism of the device;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2; v

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line H of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a detail view of cams for operating the selective mechanism and part of the vending mechanism;

Fig. 8 is afragmentary sectional line 8-8 of Fig. 5, showing the coin slide and view on the Fig. 9 is a detail view showing the coin operated butterfly switch for initiating operation of the mechanism;

Fig. 10 is a detail cross sectional view showing therotary switch plate controlling the position of the vending table;

Fig. 11 is a plan view of said rotary switch plate;

Fig. 12 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line |2|2 of Fig. 3, much of the operating mechanism being omitted;

Fig. 13 is a cross sectional view showing the ports the rest of the structure. Mounted on the frame I is a motor 2, which rotates the motor shaft 3 having worm gears l and 5 thereon.

The worm gear 4, through. a series of gears and means hereinafter described, rotates a turntable 8, while the worm gear 5 meshes with a pinion 9 loosely mounted on a cam shaft l0. Clutch mechanism connects the pinion 9 with the cam shaft Ill.

- Fixedly mounted on the cam shaft ID are cams l2, l3 and H to control the operation of the machine, as will be hereinafter described. When the machine has been started, the motor 2, the drive shaft 3 and pinion 9 rotate continuously while the cam shaft Ill makes one revolution to complete the cycle of playing one record and dispensing and delivering one article and returning the machine to initial position ready for the subsequent operation. During each revolution of the cam shaft Hi, the various cams control the sequential operation of the mechanism as will now be described.

The cam |2 operates the selective mechanism to rotate a selector shaft I! upon which is fixedly mounted a cam l8 which controls the selection of the records and to which is connected, by

' Selective mechanism A preferred form of selective mechanism is shown particularly in Figs. 5, '7, 10 and 13. The selector shaft I1 is rotatably mounted in the frame I. A ratchet 20 is loosely mounted on the selector shaft I I adjacent a wheel 2| which is fixed to the shaft. On the face of the wheel 2|, adjacent the ratchet 20, is a'pawl 22 held in engagement with the ratchet 20 by a spring which is not shown in the drawings. Thus, when the ratchet 20 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 7, the wheel 2| and the connected selector shaft I! will be rotated,'while when the ratchet 20 is rotated in the opposite direction, the pawl slides on the teeth thereof, and the selector shaft does not move.

In order to rotate the ratchet 20, and thereby the selector shaft H, a stud shaft 25 is mounted in the frame I. Loosely m'ounted on the stud shaft 25 is a gear segment 26 meshing with the teeth of theratchet 20, so that when the gear segment 26 is pivoted on the stud shaft 25, the ratchet 20 and the selector shaft l I may be rotated. Also loosely mounted on the stud shaft 25, on each side of the segment 26, is a hookshaped frame 21 having the long side thereof provided with a roller 29 adjacent its outer end, which roller runs on cam l2. Resilient members, such as springs 3|, are connected at one end to an extension of the hook-shaped frame 21 and at the other end to the segment 26 adjacent the outer end thereof.

The rotation of cam |2 causes the frame member 21 to be-pivoted about the shaft 25 and, due to .the action of the springs 3|, the segment 26 is pivoted upwardly therewith. The selector.

shaft I1 is thus rotated and the. extent of ,its rotation determines the particular record to be played and the particular article to be dispensed. The cam I8 fixed on the outer end of the selector shaft I'I, rotates with the selector shaft, and the position of the cam determines the particular record to be played as will hereinafter be exgQplained. A sprocket 230, fixed on the selector shaft II, operates the chain 23| to operate the so arranged that when the segment 26 is pivoted means of a chain drive 23L a rotary switch plate 235 which controls the position of the dispensing mechanism. The cam 2 likewise operates, through linkages which will hereinafter be described, an arm 263, which serves to discharge the article to be dispensed or delivered from the machine. The cam It causes the'selected record to be swung to a position above the-turntable 6.

The cam ll raises the turntable to pick up the record selected andto raise it upwardly into playing. position. When the turntable, has reached its maximum-height, the clutch H is disengaged from the pinion 9, and the cam shaft swung back into inoperative position and swings a tonearm I! back into starting position. The mechanism is then ready to repeat the cycle.

its full distance,.'it will cause the ratchet. 20 to make a complete revolution. In other words, every time that segment 26. is raised upwardly its full distance, the cam i8 and the rotary plate switch .235 will-each make a complete revolution.

In order to control'the amount'of rotation of l the selector shaft II so that particularrecords may be played and particular articlesdispensed;

means are provided for stopping the rotation of the shaft at the proper point. A pluralityfof rods 32, corresponding in number to the number of records andto the number of kinds of articles held in the machine, are provided in the front of the machine and extend through the front of the frame I, as shown in Fig. 5. These rods are longitudinally reciprocable so that they may be moved'inwardly and outwardly of the frame I. Mounted on theselector shaft ll, adjacent the inner ends of the rods 32, is a U-shaped member 34. That member 34 may be moved longitudinally along -the shaft against the action of a spring 39 acting between the zodiac.

member 34 and a collar fixed on the shaft" to rotate therewith. A stop 31 extends through the outer ends of the U-shaped member 34. A spring 40 is positioned between the inner side-of the member 34 and a c'ollar on the stop 31. The stop member is so positioned that the outer end thereof is slightly inwardly of the inner ends of the rods 32 .when they are in normal position, as shown in Fig. 5. When, however, one of the rods 32 is pushed inwardly by means that will hereinafter be described, the outer end of the stop 31 engages the inner end of this rod 32,- and prevents further rotation of the selector shaft 11.

As the rotation of the shaft l1 serves in the manner heretofore described to select the record to be played and the article to be dlspensed.ase.- lection is predetermined by pushing in one of the rods 32. This is accomplished, as is best shown in Fig. 5, through rotation of a shaft 200 and the action of a coin slide 22L The operator in making a selection turns the shaft 200 by means of a knob 2M positioned on the'fr'ont of the cabinet, until an indicator 209 fixed on' a stud shaft 208 indicates the. desired article, in this particular case, the appropriate sign of the 200 through the action of a sprocket 205 mount- 201 mounted on the stud shaft 208.. A yielding detent 204 at the end of an arm 203 is held against a ratchet wheel 202 on the shaft 200 by the action ofa spring 203a, and serves to provide that shaft 200 with a plurality of fixed positions. As the shaft 230 is rotated, a slotted wheel 2 fixedly mounted thereon is likewise rotated, and -this by means of a pin 2|3 effects the simultaneous rotation of an arm 2, which is loosely mounted on the shaft 200. A second pin 2l2 attached to a frame member as at M8 for movement on a vertical axis and is also pivotally mov- The indicator 209 rotates with the shaft 7 ed on the shaft 200, a chain 206, and a sprocket able on a horizontal axis, and the free end of which rests upon the coin slide 22!. The forward position of the arm 2l6 is limited by a collar 2|1 fixedly mounted on the shaft 200. As

the coin slide 22! is pushed inwardly, the arm 2l6 will be forced rearwardly. During its rearward movement the arm 2l6, engaging a collar 2 I111 mounted on arm 2, will force this arm and the pin 2 l2, carried thereby. rewardly against the action of a spring 2 l5 on shaft 230. and in so doing will push in the particular pin member 32 in line with the pin 2i2. Upon further inward movement of the coin slide 22l, the arm 2| 6 will be cammed upwardly by .a member 224 and will thus be released from engagement with the the article corresponding therewith is delivered.

. position of any pin 32.

In order to return the pushed-in rod engaged by the stop 31 tonormal position, a resilient arm 4| is loosely mounted on the cam shaft l0 and is provided with a forked outer end which fits about the selector shaft l1 and 'guidably holds the arm 4| for sliding along the shaft l1. The outer surface of the arm 4! engages the U shaped member 34. An adjustable projecting member 42 extends inwardly from the arm 4!.

Fixedly mounted on the cam shaft I0 is a collar 43 having a rod extending outwardly therefrom with a roll or annular member 44 positioned adjacent the outer end thereof and spaced from the cam shaft a distance equal to that of the projecting member 42, so that when the cam shaft l0 rotates the roller 44 engages the projecting member 42 to move it outwardly, which in turn slides the U-shaped member 34 along the shaft, I1- and pushes the rod engaged by the stop 31' outwardly to normal position.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 7, it will be seen that the frame21 will always be pivoted about the shaft '25 to the same extent under the action of the cam l2, regardless of the On the other hand, the segment 26 will be stopped, after moving only part way up, against the action of the springs 3| whenever the stop 31 engages one of the pins 32 7 Record holder v I The phonographic records to be used in the device are placed in a plurality of record carriers 41. Each carrier 41 comprises an annular ring having a flange extending inwardly therefrom to form a shelf. Extending from one side of each of the record carriers 41 is an arm 50 (see Fig. 12) having an opening'therein and which extends through horizontal slots arranged in a cylindrical casing 52. These slots are arranged in pairs on opposite sides of the casing 52, one pair of slots being provided for each of the record carriers 41 as shown-more particularly in the Wilcox patent above mentioned.

. The casing 52 is fixedly mounted on the frame I.

and by the latter to the outer end of a lever59 which is pivotally mounted on the frame I (see Fig. 3). A longitudinal slot 65 is provided in the center portion-of the bar 62 and a projecting member such as a screw 66 is threaded into the bar. adjacent its uppper end, as shown'particularly in Figs. 3 and 12. The inner end of this screw 66 is adapted to engage the outer endof any of the arms 50, which extend beyond the cylindrical casing 52 and are provided with cut out portions each for engagement with the inner end of the screw 66. This is shown particularly in Fig. 12. a y

The bar 62 is reciprocablealong the shaft 54 to bring the screw 66 adjacent the outerend of the record carrier 41 holding the selected record. The vertical movement of the bar 62 is controlled by the rotation of the'cam l3 on the selector shaft I1, which at all times abuts aroller on the lever 59. Cam III has a plurality of positions respectively corresponding to fractional revolutions and is so formed that'for eachssuch fractional revolution thereof,-the lever 59 will be raised a definite distance to thereby bring the screw 66 on the bar 62 directly opposite the outer end of any one of the selected arms 58 of the record carriers 41.

In the particular embodiment of the invention shown, the cam I8 has twelve such positions, respectively corresponding to the twelve records that may be selected. There are likewise twelve of the rods 32 which control the amount of rotation of the selector shaft I1, as has been hereinbefore described. Thus, operation of any one of the twelve rods 32 will cause the selector shaft to rotate a certain fraction of a revolution corresponding to the rod 32 pushed in, and the cam I8 will thus assume one of its twelve positions,

on thebar 62 will at all times be positioned directly opposite one of the arms 50 on the record carriers 41, and not in between these arms, a star wheel I 8a is fixedly mounted on the outer end of the selector shaft I1. twelve points and is adapted, during operation of the mechanism, to be fixedly locked in one of the twelve positions. This is accomplished by a locking dog 69b mounted adjacent the outer end of a lever 69a, pivotally mounted on a stud shaft 10. The locking dog 6% is normally held out of engagement with the star wheel l8a by means of a spring. Aroller 8Ia is mounted on the lever 69a and is adapted to be actuated by the cam I3 in its rotation. Under the action of the cam I 3, the locking dog 69b will be forced into engage- This star wheel has ment with the star wheel Illa, looking it fixedly in positionand insuring that the screw 66 will be brought directly opposite the outer end of the arm 50 on the record carrier 41 holding the selected record.

Means for operating the record carriers After the screw 66 has been properly positioned to select the desired or predetermined record, the next step is to swing the record carrier with the record thereon out over the turntable so that it may be picked up and deposited thereon. To accomplish this, a J-shaped lever 69, shown particularly in Fig. 3, is pivotally mounted adjacent its lower end on the stud shaft 18;. At-

tached to the upper end of the lever 69, by means of a universal connection, is a link 15. The link is made adjustable as to length by a tumment;of therecordcarrier 41 is controlled by the'length of the link 15 and may likewise. be

controlled by the provision of a stop post 41a mountedin the frame I.

The short side of the J-shaped lever .68 is provided with a roller 8| adjacent its outer end. This. roller-rides the semicircular cam I3 on the outer end of the cam shaft I0, being held against the cam by'means of a spring. As the cam shaft rotates, the cam I3 pivots the lever 631:0 swing-the recordcarrier out and holds the record carrier in this position until the record has been played. After the turntable has been lowered to deposit the played record in the record carrier, the cam I3 is rotated to release the record carrier 41 to permit it to be brought back to inoperative position by means of the springs 82.

Means for operating the turntable Referring more particularly to Fig. 3, the tumtable 8 is mounted on the upper end of a reciprocable shaft 85, which extends down through the frame I, being slidable therein. It is supported by a bearing member 86 so that the shaft may be freely rotated in the bearing. Extending downwardly from the frame I is a supporting member 88, and loosely mounted on the shaft 86 is a pinion 90, which is held adjacent the-lower surface of the supporting member 88. The pinion 30 is driven from the motor shaft 3 through the worm gear 4.

: Pivotally attached to the bearing member 86 is ayoke 91, which is pivotally connected to the outer end of a bell crank lever 93 mounted on a stud shaft I00. The other end of the lever 88 is provided with a roller for engagement with the cam I4. As the cam I4 rotates with the cam shaft II), the bell crank lever 99 is pivoted to raise the shaft up through the frame I. Fixed on the shaft 85 is a wheel having a pin I83 extending outwardly therefrom for engagement with a pin I04 on the lower side of the pinion 88. As the shaft 85 is raised to its uppermost position, these two pins engage, and the rotation of the pinion 90 is thus transmitted to the shaft 35 and the turntable 8.

As the turntable is raised, itpasses up through the record carrier 41, which has been swung out into proper position and picks up the record thereon, raising it to a position to engage the needle in the sound pick-up I 9 which cooperates with the rotating turntable and a suitable ampli-.

rality of upright plates 253 arranged around the periphery of the table 250, together with a-plurality of upright pins 254 define twelve compartments, each holding a plurality of pamphlets 255. A plurality of flat slides 251' adapted to slide in radial grooves 258 in the top of the table 258 1 carry-on their upper surfaces plates .256. The

outer ends of the slides 251 are provided with downturned flanges 268 which. extend through radial slots 26I formed in the-table 250. The plates 256 are approximately of the same thickness as the pamphlets 255 and are adapted, when the slides 251 are moved outwardly, to engage a. pamphlet and push it out of the compartment through the opening beneath the plates 253.

The arm 263 extends beneath the rotatable. table 250 and is slidably mounted in fixed guides 2631? (one only being shown in'Fig. 4) positioned on the upper surface of the platform 252. A spring 263a connected between the arm 263 and one of the-fixed guides 263b' normally holds the arm .263 retracted against the stop 263a fixed to the cabinet wall. A channel member262 is fixed to the arm 263 adjacent its outer end and is adapted to engage'any one of the downturned of the link 212a is pivotally connected to a lever 216 adjacent the outer end thereof. The lever 215 is pivotally mounted on the stud shaft I88 and carries at its outer end a roller for engagement with the cam I2 on'the cam shaft I8. As the to the motor 25Ia, respectively, as shown in Fig. '16.

When the device is put into operation by clos- Y ing the main switch, the selector shaft I1 will be rotated to an extent determined by the particular rod 32 that has been pushed in, as heretofore explained, and the plate switch 235 will be cam shaft rotates, the cam I2 pivots the lever 215 about the shaft I88 and, through the link 212a, pivots the bell crank lever 212 downwardly. This causes the arm 263 to be moved outwardly, together with whatever slide 251 is engaged by the channel member 262, to the position shown in Fig. 3. By this action, one of the pamphlets 255 is forced out of one of the compartments on the table 258. As this pamphlet is pushed under the plate 253, a pendant arm 214, one of which is pivotally mounted at its upper end on the outer face of each of the plates 253 adjacent an edge thereof, tips or tilts the pamphlet off the slide 251 into a chute 265. That chute 265 extends downwardly and laterally from adjacent the edge of the table 258 and ends in an opening 266 in the front of the cabinet.

The magazine or table 258 is rotated to position the compartment containing the selected pamphlets 255 adjacent the chute 265 and to engage the slide 251 associated with that compartment with the arm 263 by means of a suitable electric motor Ia. To accomplish that result, the table 258 is fixed to a shaft 234 which extends through the platform 252 and carries adjacent its lower end a sprocket 258a. The motor 25Ia is connected by a reduction chain drive with the sprocket 258a and as soon as the motor is energized, which occurs when the main switch is closed on operation of the device, the table 258 will be slowly rotated.

The rotation of the table 258 .is stopped when the compartment containing the selected pamphlets is in proper position for the discharge of a pamphlet. For so controlling the table 258, the electrical circuit" for the motor 25Ia is provided with the rotary plate switch 235 (shown in Figs. 10, 11 and 16). This plate switch 235 is loosely mounted on the shaft 234 and is rotated, through a sprocket 233 and the chain 23I, by the rotation of the selector shaft I1. The body of the plate switch 235 is made of a suitable electrical insulator, for example, hard rubber. Embedded in the lower surface of the plate switch 235 are'two concentric bands of.

copper 238, each forming a continuous circle but insulated from one another. Embedded in the upper surface of the plate switch 235 are two concentric bands of copper 236, positioned directly above the bands 238. The bands 236 are, however, non-continuous, and are interrupted by at least two spaced interruptions. Each of the bands 238 is electrically connected with the band 236 lying immediately above it by pins 242 extending through the plateswitch 235. A pair of spring pressed contact members 239 mounted on the platform 252 engage the two bands 238, and

another pair of spring pressed contact members 248 mounted on the table 258 engage the upper bands 236. The contacts 248 are connected to gether by a wire 2, as shown in Fig. 10, and the contacts 239 are connected to a power lead and engagement with openings 9a in the pinion 9.

the contacts 239, theassociated band 238, the pin.

242, the corresponding band- 236, the contact 248, the wire 24I, the contact 248, the band 236, the pin 242 and the band 233, back to the other contact 239. The table 258 will thus be rotated carrying the contacts248 with it until those contacts reach the interruptions 231 in the bands 236, whereupon the circuit is broken. Since the angular position of the interruptions 231 with respect to the platform 252 is determined by the rotation given plate switch 235 by the selector shaft I1, the contacts 248 will reach this position and so interrupt the motor circuit and prevent further rotation of the table 258 at the moment the particular compartment bearing the selected pamphlets is in position for the proper operation of, the pamphlet discharging mechanism.

Clutch mechanism It will be remembered that the cam shaft I8 makes only one revolution during each cycle of the machine. The purpose, of the clutch mechanism II is to disengage the cam shaft I8 from the pinion 9 once during each complete cycle of the machine. In that manner, each revolution of the cam shaft is interrupted.

The clutch II'comprises a sleeve I210. (Fig. 13) xkeyed to the cam shaft I8 so as to be slidable thereon.- Fixed to this sleeve are pins I21 for A spring I32 serves to urge the clutch'into engagement with the pinion 9 to drive the cam shaft I8. Positioned about the clutch sleeve I21a is a cam member I38. The outer end of an arm I28a (Fig. 14), pivoted on a shaft II9, engages the cam I38 as the camshaft rotates and thereby moves the clutch II away from the pinion '9 and disengages the pins I21 from the openings 9a. In Figs. 13 and 14, the arm I28a is shown in'elevated position but as the shaft I8 and cam I 38 rotate from the position shown in said figures, the end of the arm will be lowered to a position wherein it will contact the curved face of the cam, whereupon further rotation of the shaft will cause the arm I28a to effect lateral shifting of the cam along the shaft to disengage the clutch.

This action occurs as soon as the turntable 8 has been raised to its maximum height under the action of cam I4, and-the parts then re-' main in playing position until the playing of the v record has been finished.

Means for operating clutch mechanism When the playing of the record has been completed, the cam shaft I8 is again; engaged with the pinion 9 so thatthe phonograph mechanism may be restored to non-playing or inoperative.

position ready for the beginning of the next cycle of operation. That is accomplished by an arm II2 which is fixed on a vertical shaft I89 carrying the tone arm and sound pick-up I9 (see Fig. 3). A pawl II2a (Fig. 14) carried on frame I.

end of lever I 22 is engaged by the cam I3 as it the outer end of the arm H2 is adapted to engage the end of a trip lever I20, which is pivotally mounted in the frame I. carried by the trip lever I20, engages a projecting pin member II8 extending upwardly, from the shaft II9, to which is secured the arm I20a' that acts to engage and disengage the clutch I I. This is best shown in Figs. 12 and 14.

As the record is played, the arm H2 is pivoted rotates. The lever I22 is accordingly raised by the rotation of cam I3 and through the arm I2I, returns the arm H2 and the tone arm to inoperative position. During this operation, the revolution of the cam shaft I has brought an eccentric collar I29, formed on the clutch II, into engagement with a pin I33 carried by the arm 120a adjacent its outer end. The arm la is by this means held in its upper position despite the disengagement of the arm II2 from the trip lever I20. Because of the shape of the eccentric collar, the arm l20a. is held in this upper position until the arm II2 has been swung back to its original position, whereuponthe arm I20a will drop again into engagement with the cam member I30 ready to disengage the clutch upon further rotation of the cam shaft in a subsequent cycle of operation.

.Starting mechanism A form of starting mechanism which has been found to be satisfactory is shown in Fig. 16, as well as a wiring diagram thereof. This starting device comprises a mechanism consisting of a ratchet wheel 292 and a pawl 29I pivotally mount-.

ed at its center and adapted to engage the teeth in the ratchet wheel 292 so as to rotate the same one notch in the direction of the arrow whenever the pawl is actuated. A pin 293 mounted on the outer face of the ratchet wheel 292 serves to hold a switch arm 294 in its upper position in contact with a contact member 295. A solenoid 2901) is energized whenever a butterfly switch 2901s momentarily closed by the passage of the coin 220 down a coin chute 225 (see Fig. 9). The solenoid, when energized, actuates the pawl 2! to advance the ratchet wheel 292 in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 16 and thus to permit the switch arm 294 to move under the influence or a spring 294a into its lowermost position engaging a pair of contacts 296.

With the switch arm 294 in its lowermost position, the main motor 2 will be energized, setting in motion the pinion 9 and, through the. action of clutch II, the cam shaft I0, thus setting in motion the various parts and elements of the mechanism. The dispensing table motor Ia will likewise be energized with the closing of contacts 296, and the dispensing table '250 will be rotated until its rotation is stopped by the action or the rotary plate switch 235, as hereinbefore described. Slidably mounted in the starting switch mechanism above the ratchet wheel 292 an am 303.

An arm' I",

, against the action of the spring, and so to rotate The arm 303 is normally held in its extreme right position by the action of a spring 3031: and carries at one end thereof a pawl 903a adapted to engage one or the teeth in the ratchet wheel 292 when the arm 903 is moved to the left (Fig.'16)

the ratchet wheel 292 in a direction opposlte'to that shown by the arrow. A'notch 30I on the 0 upper surface of the arm 909 is adapted to be engaged by a pawl 300 carried at one end of an L,-shaped lever 299, which is pivotally mounted in I the starting switch box. A pin 299a carried adthe playing of a record, the cam shaft I 0 is again jacent the other end of the lever 299 engages a slot 298D in a small bell crank lever 290. also pivotally mounted in the starting switch box.

The levers 298 and 299 are normally held in the position shown in Fig. 16, with the pawl 300 dis-' arm 309, by means of a spring engaged from the As the lever 69 is pivoted under the action of the cam I3 to swing one of the record carriers 41 into playing position over the turntable 0, a link 291, pivotally connected to the lever 69, will pivot the bell crank lever 298 in the starting switch box against the action of the spring 290a so as to cause the pawl 300 to engage the notch 30I. in the arm 303. When, at the conclusion of rotated and the lever 69'and the record carrier 41 are permitted to swing back into their initial position, the levers 298 and 299 willbe pivoted under the action of the spring 298a so as to move the arm 303 to the left against the action of the spring 30%. The pawl 303a will thereupon engage one of the teeth of the ratchet wheel 292 and rotate this so as to bring the pin 293 into contact with the switch arm 294 and thereby raise the same against the action of thespring 294a. I The switch arm 294, on being raised to its upper position, will break the circuit at 290 and will close the circuitagain at 295. The breaking of the circuit at contacts 296 will stop the main motor 2 and will thus prevent further rotation of the cam shaft I0 as the various parts assume their inoperative position readyior the commencement of the next cycle of operations.

The butterfly switch 290 operates to energize,

if a manual switch 290a is closed, the solenoid 290b and thus to close the main switch, and isoperated by the action of the coin 220 in falling down the coin slide 225. As the coin 220 is placed in the recess in the coin slide "I and this slide is pushed in,,as has heretofore been described, the coin will, on reaching a point above the coin chute 225, drop down this chute, momentarily closing the butterfly switch 290 and thus closing the main switch through the action of the switch arm 294, the coin passing to a coin box or other suitable receptacle, not shown. Operation of the butterfly switch 290 during such time as the device is operating is prevented by an arm 226 (see Figs. 5 and 6) pivotally mounted on a shaft 221. When the turntable 8 is in its lower, inoperative position, it engages the upright portion of an I.-

shaped arm 228 connected to one end of the arm 226, so as to hold the arm 226 in a stationary horizontal position. When, however, the tumtable 8 is in playing position, the arm 220, being unbalanced, will assume the position shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 6 and will in this position extend into the path of the coin slide 22I to pre-' vent the operation thereof.

Auxiliary phonograph.

An auxiliaryphonographic mechanism 200 (see Figs. 2 and is provided for the purpose of periodically playing a phonographic record bearing an advertising speech, interspersed, if desired, with music to urge patronage of the machine and to attract attention thereto during those inter-' vals when the machine is not vending reproduced or written information. For this purpose, a

phonograph mechanism provided with automatic repeat means is desirably used.. Such phonograph mechanism asthat described in U. S. Patent No. 1,936,335, issued November 21, 1933, to J. R. Mitchell et al., is shown by way of illustration, it being understood that the invention is not limited thereto. For a full description of that mechanism, reference is made to the mentioned patent of Mitchell et al. I

The auxiliary phonograph 289 is connected to the same amplifier I94: and loud speaker l9b as the main phonograph, and is electrically connected to the power leads through an automatic time switch 28land the contact 295 in the automatic main switch box. As long as the switch arm 294 is in the upper (inoperative for the main mechanism) position engaging the contact 295 the phonograph 280 will play at intervals determined, by the setting of the time switch 28!. The time switch 8| may-be of any well known type operated by spring or, preferably, electrically driven clock work mechanism. The phonograph 280 is provided with a tone arm 282. When the tone arm 282 of the phonograph 299 reaches the end of the record it trips a lever 283, which, by the mechanism shown in the Mitchell et al. patent, efiects the return of the tone arm to it's starting position to begin playing the record again. The return of the tone arm also, through a suitable linkage to the time switch 29!, operates this switch to interrupt the phonograph motor circuit (and amplifier'and lighting circuit for the device) whereby to prevent the immediate replaying of the record. As a result of the tripping of the lever 283 and the consequent return of the tone arm, the clock work mechanism of the time switch 28l is set in operation and, at the expiration of the time for which the switch is set, thephonograph motor circuit is again closed. and the amplifier and lights turned on, and the record replayed.

When a coin is deposited in the device the main switch is operated, as hereinbefore described, and the switch arm 294 is operated to break the auxiliary phonograph circuit at the contact 295 and closing the main circuit at the contact 296., The breaking v of the auxiliary phonograph circuit at the contact 295 will prevent the operation of the auxiliary phonograph even if the time switch is meanwhile closed, until the switch arm 294 has again engaged the contact 295. When the auxiliary phonograph circuit a plunger 2150f a release cable 211 and thereby trip the lever 283 in the phonograph 280. This will cause the tone arm 282 to be swung back its never therefore interfere with the operation of the vending mechanism but will be automatically restarted after the operation of the vending mechanism.

Operation of the machine In operating the machine, the knob 2M and shaft 209 are rotated by the operator to bring the pointer 209 into line with the desired sign of the zodiac. This positions the pin 212 in line with that one of the rods 32 which controls the selection of the appropriate record and pamphlet for this sign of the zodiac. A coin is inserted in the coin slide 22! and this slide is. pushed in. As the slide is pushed in, the pin 2 I2 is operated to push in the rod 32 with which it is in line, and the coin is discharged into the coin chute 225. The coin, in falling down the chute, operates the starting mechanism heretofore described, and the motors 2 and 25Ia are started. The motor 2 drives the pinion 9, and through this the cam shaft 10, and thus brings into action the cams- I 2, l3 and M. The cam l2 pivots the frame 21 to raise the segment 26 and rotate the selector shaft I1 until this rotation is stopped by the engagement of the stbp 31 with the pushed-in rod 32. The rotation of the selector shaft H, through the action of the cam l8, raises the slide 62 to position the screw 65 in line with the outer end of the record carrier 4! bearing the selected record.

Meanwhile, the motor 25 |a has been rotating the table 250 positioned in the upper part of the machine cabinet. The rotation of the selector shaft l1 however, likewise rotate the plate switch .235 :beneath the vending table 250 into proper position to break the electrical circuit of the motor 25m and to bring the table 250 to a stop with the particular compartment carryin the selected pamphlets in proper position for the discharge of a pamphlet.

- downwardly, as hereinbefore described, will strike When the slide '62 is properly positioned, the cam l3 engages the roller 8la to move the locking dog 5% into engagement with the star wheel l8a mounted on the selector shaft and so fix the position of the screw 66. The cam l3 then engages the roller 8! on the lever 69 and pivots thi lever to swing the record carrier 41 outwardly over the turntable 8. Thereafter, the cam l4 engages the roller on the bell crank lever 299 to pivot the same and to raise the turntable 8 to its upper position. The turntable picks up the selected record as it passes up through the positioned record carrier 91 and raises the record to playing position in engagement with the sound pick-up l9. Once the record starts to play, the clutch is disengaged from the pinion 9 by the action of arm lzlla. When the record has been played, the arm 2 actuates the trip lever I20 thereby raising the arm 120a. to cause the clutch H t engage with the pinion 9. As the cam shaft l0 again rotates,

the cam It operates the roller on the end of bell crank lever 99 allowing the turntable 8 to return to normal position. The cam l3 has, in the meantime held the record carrier out over the turna table, so that the turntable 8 in returning to normal position passes through the record carrier and deposits the played record thereon. The cam 13 thereafter operates'the rollers Ila and 9| to disengage the locking dog 69b from star wheel Ila and to permit the springs 82 to return the record carrier 61 with the played record to'the normal inoperative position. In the meantime the cam l2 has engaged the roller carried on the arm 215 and has pivoted this arm to cause the What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

discharge arm 263 to discharge one of the pamphlets 255 from the proper compartment on the vending table 250 into the delivery chute 265. As the cam l3 permits the lever 69 to pivot back to its normal position, it strikes the roller carried on the arm I22 and thereby pivots the arm 1-2! upwardly to return the arm H2 and thereby the tone arm to initial position. At this point, the arm 303 in the starting box is actuated to move the switch arm 294 to its upward position. The motor 2, is accordingly deenergized by the opening of the contacts 296, and the machine is now in initial position ready to begin the next cycle.

As heretofore explained, the movement of the switch arm 294 to its upper position closes the contact 295 in the circuit including the time switch 28l and the auxiliary phonograph 280. Thus, the auxiliary phonograph 289 will thereafter be periodically played until the switch arm'- 294 is actuated to break the contact 295 and stop the auxiliary phonograph and to close the contacts 296 and start the main mechanism.

While I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be apparentjo those skilled in the art that various modifications thereof may b made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

1. In a device having coin-controlled, electri- 2. In a device having coin-controlled mechanism, and phonograph mechanism including a normally inoperative tone arm, electrically actuated timing means for periodically effecting engagement of said tone arm with a record to play 'the same, and means operable upon completion of the playing of said record for moving said tone arm out of engagement therewith and returning the same to normal position; means operable in response to the initiation of operation of said coin-controlled mechanism and throughout the operation thereof for rendering said timing means inefiective, and means operable in response .to the operation of said last means, even though the playing of said record has thus been interrupted, to efiect operation of said means for returning the tone arm to normal position, prior to completion of the playing 01' said record.

MORRIS J. MARGULIS. 

